Stanley Cup Playoffs: First Round Predictions

So the time is upon us.  I'm like a kid on Christmas eve. 

The Stanley Cup playoffs.

Where legends are made, heroes are born.  Not just on the ice, but on the poolie front as well.

So upon us now is the Bleacher Report NHL Playoff Pool.  Participating in this year's pool are myself, and three other talented writers.  Bryan Thiel, Danielle Marchell, and Thayne Hallyburton.  Here is a quick rundown of the rules

• Before the beginning of each playoff round, the four of us will make fearless predictions on who we think will win the series and in how many games
• Points will be awarded as follows: Two points for picking the winning team, and one point for picking the correct number of games

Also, points can be given out individually, for instance is you have the team right, but the number of games wrong, you will still receive two points, and vise versa. 

Now, Onto it, the winning pool (wishful thinking on my part of course.)

(1)Montreal Vs (8) Boston

It seems that every year these two teams both make the postseason dance, they end up tangling with one another.

Boston has a stifling defensive game, but Montreal appears to have the explosive forwards to bust through the trap of the Bruins.

I am usually a subscriber to the theory that the season series doesn't matter, but when one team defeats the other in all eight games, I tend to sing a different tune.

Alot of people who picked Montreal to finish near the bottom of the standings at the start of the year will be doing a complete 180 and choosing them as favourites.  I will now take a slice of humble pie, because I am one of them.  The Bruins won't get swept, but It'll be the next closest thing.

Prediction: Montreal In 5

(2) Pittsburgh Vs (7) Ottawa

Alot of playoff series' are great because they develop storylines and subplots as the games wear on.  Lucky for us, the intensity dial in this one will be turned up from the word go, thanks to two running storylines.

Number one is the fact that the Pens made the playoffs last season, only to be dumped by Ottawa in round one, and have their playoff bubble burst.

Now this season there is Bryan Murray, who insists that the Penguins of Pittsburgh tanked their last game to play the Senators on purpose.  (can you blame them at this point?)

Like they should, the Sens appear to be using this as motivation, but will really need a gritty effort if they are to go into the first round without their captain Daniel Alfreddson, as well as two way centre Mike Fisher.

This is still the same Senators team who did march to the Finals last season, so with their backs against the wall, don't expect them to go down quietly.

Goaltending is an issue for both teams, and with two high powered offenses, we may have to buckle the seat belts up for this wild ride.

Prediction: Penguins In 6

(3)Washington Vs (6) Philadelphia

Don't get me wrong, the Capitals are a dangerous team, but let's not have the standings misguide us.

The Washington Capitals finished the regular season with a nice total of 94 points.  Their first round counterparts, the Philadelphia Flyers, totalled 95.

This could end up being one of the closest, most fun to watch series of the opening round.

The new look Flyers, looking to put last years disaster season behind them, will meet Alex Ovechkin and his Russian Revolution.  We all know Ovie loves the spotlight, and there is no bigger time, with the lights so bright, to put on a show.

Both goalies are good as well, meaning this could be a heck of a battle, and I predict it will be right up until the end.

Prediction: Washington In 7

(4)New Jersey Vs (5) New York

These two met in 2006, with the Devils recording a four game sweep, however, don't expect the same outcome this time.

Both teams have a good offense, with plenty of firepower to go around.  The Devils get the edge on defense (duh) and despite the fact that Martin Brodeur is the better all time goaltender, I fully believe Henrik Lundqvist can outduel the multiple cup winner.

New York won the season series, but that isn't the reason I think they will come out this first round matchup.

As past playoffs have shown, I would be almost willing to say that Martin Brodeur has been hurt by playing so much in the regular season.  The past two playoff runs have ended with Brodeur looking now awful, but not at the top of his game either, as the Devils were dumped from the second season.

New Jersey fans will not like watching Scott Gomez sink the Devils playoff hopes

Prediction: New York In 7

Western Conference

(1)Detroit Vs (8) Nashville

These two teams have a playoff history, and considering they have met eight times in the regular season the past few years, these two teams are likely chomping at the bit to get this series underway.

Detroit has won the Presidents Trophy once again, but as recent history has shown, winning the regular season championship hasn't done much to aid the Wings postseason success.

Nashville is a team that simply will not go away.  They have proved that all year.  Even though they were stripped of their teams top talent, they still managed to be competitive, get great goaltending from the two headed monster of Mason and Ellis, and got great leadership by captain Jason Arnott.

Detroit lost Mathieu Schneider, but in a rare case where a team loses their number three defenseman, the Wings actually improved, adding Michigan native Brian Rafalski.

As usual, and in typical West fashion, these two teams will pummel each other all the way through this first round series.

Prediction: Detroit in 6

(2)San Jose Vs (7)Calgary

One of the two roughest teams in the Western conference will battle each other for puck supremacy in this one.  

These two teams met in 2004, where Calgary knocked out San Jose en route to their miracle run in the Stanley Cup final.

But these teams have changed tremendously since then, but the series shouldn't be much different than that series some four years ago.

San Jose will rely heavily on deadline day acquisition Brian Campbell to be the gear that makes things turn from the back end, and Joe Thornton has to have a great series, as does Patrick Marleau.  Jonathan Cheechoo should look at this as a fresh start, and rebound from a sub-par season.

Calgary of course needs big games from Iginla, Huselius, and Langkow.  All the while getting solid efforts from Craig Conroy, Owen Nolan, and Alex Tanguay.

These really are two great goaltenders and people who relish big puckstopping saves, will be in for a treat in this series.

Although I wouldn't be surprised if Calgary is victorious,

Prediction: San Jose In 7

(3)Minnesota Vs (6) Colorado

Like San Jose, the time is now for Minnesota, if they can't string together a great postseason run, many people will question whether or not this group can go any farther.

Colorado added Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg at the deadline, and should be remotely healthy for the post season, something they weren't much of the regular season.

Jose Theodore has rebounded and had a good regular season, but it will take a healthy playoff run to make everyone a believer again.

I like the Wild, I enjoy watching them, but I don't think they are on that elite level.  I also think the Avs aren't there anymore either.

This will be a fast series, lots of goals, the difference will be the guys in Colorado who know how to get it done.

I want Minny to go far, but I am not sure if they can beat the Avs 

Prediction: Minnesota in 6

(4)Anaheim Vs (5) Dallas

Probably one of the most anticipated series' as far as I am concerned.  

As it is with the parity of the NHL, one of the leagues best teams will be going home about two weeks into the NHL playoffs.  

Anaheim, is well, Anaheim.  They've won the cup, they're the defending champions.  They have been there before as a group, believe in each other, and they even improved their already talented blue line (hard to believe I know.)

Dallas improved their chances this season by adding Brad Richards who had an immediate impact with his new team.

This is the toughest of the tough, and believe me, all these West series are tough.  But I think we could 

Prediction: Anaheim in 7

So that is my fearless forecasting for the first round of the Stanley Cup Championship.  

I know there isn't alot of 'upsets' as far as the standings go, but I do feel that, with everything so close, particularly in the West, even if a top seed defeats a lower standing team, it could still be considered an upset, simply because that a few good teams are going to go home disappointed, simply a victim of circumstance.

So, there they are, Bryan, Danielle, Thayne, bring it on!  I'm looking forward to a little friendly competition (although I never win these pools, I still try them.) Good luck to everyone.

Below is a link to the other prediction articles, for your reference.

Bryan Thiel

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/16823-NHL-New_Jersey_Devils-New_York_Rangers-Philadelphia_Flyers-The_2008_NHL_Playoff_Picture_Police_Squad_Makes_It_a_Little_Clearer-080408

Thayne Hallyburton

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/16676-NHL-New_Jersey_Devils-New_York_Rangers-Philadelphia_Flyers-NHL_Playoff_Preview_Round_One

Danielle Marchell